Target

The Peter Pilotto for Target collection was being called one of the year’s most anticipated collaborations. While flipping through the look books before Target launched the collection, I could see why. It featured beautiful colors, interesting prints and a nice array of easy-to-style separates.

Despite all the hyped “anticipation,” when I showed up to my local Target in Phoenix, there was plenty left hanging on the racks and the aisles were eerily quiet. I did happen upon a few others scurrying through the goods, but I still took my time sipping a hot latte and checking everything out.

At one point I happened upon a mother-daughter duo who, when I gently moved their cart out of my way, kindly explained to me that the contents — about five Peter Pilotto pieces — were “like gold.” The mother went on to say that her other daughter, an NYC inhabitant, had relayed to her via text that all the NYC stores were already wiped out of the collection. Another shopper had her boyfriend carrying two Pilotto skirts while she held up other pieces to her body and contemplated them. In other words: the Peter Pilotto debut was, more or less, a serene scene in my neck of the woods.

Anyway, my first in-person impression of the actual collection was that the pieces all seemed very cohesive, cool and modern. This set of clothes is very much in line with everything else that’s happening for Spring 2014. In fact, if it weren’t for all of the big fancy signage around this display, it would’ve blended right in with Target’s other offerings. Lots of bright and splashy floral patterns paired with sharp geometric shapes and the occasional “surprise” element.

Another thing I noticed: the pieces were all extremely comfortable looking. Comfy spring fashion? Yes, please. I also appreciated that, unlike some of the other Target collaborations, the Peter Pilotto collection didn’t resort to super sheer fabrics that require lots of layering. Big props on that front.

So, after taking my time sorting through the display, I brought about 8 to 10 pieces with me to the dressing room. Below are some snapshots I took in addition to some of my initial impressions of the pieces.

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For more information and updates on the PETER PILOTTO for Target collection, visit ABullseyeView.com and follow @AbullseyeView and @PETERPILOTTO. Join in on the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using #PETERPILOTTOForTarget.

By Wendy Rose Gould

Still waking up to emails in your inbox with subjects such as, “BIG SAVINGS NOW!”, “SURPRISE 40% OFF SALE!” “EXCLUSIVE HOLIDAY DEALS!” and “LAST CHANCE FOR 60% OFF!”?

You aren’t alone.

In fact, any consumer who’s ever signed up for a retailer’s newsletter (that’d be pretty much everyone on the planet) has been wading through a flurry of such emails for a while; since before Thanksgiving and before Black Friday and certainly before Cyber Monday. And here we are, over a week after the turkeys digested, still receiving those same emails.

Welcome to cyber month.

Cyber month: A month full of blowout sales, mouth watering markdowns and can’t-resist-pop-up specials designed to get consumers to spend as much as humanely possible. You can expect those emails to flood your inbox up until the day before Christmas.

Sure, the thought of seemingly endless discounts is reason to celebrate for some. Heaven knows I’ve spent more than I should have in the past week alone. Not just on gifts, but on myself! How’s that for holiday spirit?

Still, for some consumers on a mission to snag the best prices, all these deals can be overwhelming. For starters, there’s a lot to choose from, making anyone on a budget feel a little panicked and unsure of their purchases. It’s also hard to tell whether a retailer’s inflated prices on items just to make it seem like you’re getting a better deal than you actually are. Lastly, people are wary of pushing the “complete checkout” button for fear they’ll find the same item on sale in tomorrow’s batch of retail emails.

One of those worriers? Know that there are ways to side step the stress of holiday shopping.

1. Ultimately, your best bet is to only buy things you previously had on your “to buy” list. It’s hard to resist sales, but if you didn’t need it before it went on sale, you don’t need it now.

2. It’s also smart to do some research to see what the price the item actually retails for (especially on electronics). This is harder to do for clothing, but if it was previously on your “to buy list” you likely had an idea of what it cost in the first place.

3. Review the retailer’s return policy and then save your tags and receipts. If, after a week, you begin regretting your decision or find another item you like more for a better price, return your purchase.

4. Lastly, when you can, shop at retailers who price match. The website/app DealScience has compiled a short list of stores that do price match:

Department stores:

• Sears: 100%
• Kohl’s: 100%
• JCPenney: 100%
• Target: 100%
• Walmart: 100%

Specialty stores:

• BestBuy: 110%
• Fry’s: 110%
• Home Depot: 110%
• Lowe’s: 110%
• Staples: 100%
• Expedia: 100%
• Hotels.com: 100%

What are your thoughts on “cyber month”? Overwhelmed and shopped out? Or are you reveling in the joys of two fortnights of discounts supreme? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

By Wendy Rose Gould

Consumers tend to make straightforward New Year resolutions: Spend less, save more and pay down debt. This year, it appears retailers want to change just one thing…their bottom line. The tried-and-true methods aren’t working anymore as consumers learn to resist the urge to buy, so merchants are starting their own trends. According to Bloomberg, consumer spending stalled in December, with a rise of just 0.1 percent, as Americans took advantage of last year’s slight jump in income to restore depleted savings. So what are retailers doing to change this trend? Here are a few examples.

1. JCPenney Ditches Sales
Shoppers have caught onto false savings, in which stores boost prices just before dropping them again for supposed sales. In an announcement last month, JCPenney basically admitted to this practice and said they were launching an everyday-low-prices campaign. For example, jeans that used to retail for $25 — but typically ended up selling for $15 — will just start off at $15.
continue reading – Retailers Make Bottom-Line Resolutions

Flocks of women and just about every single style blog on the Internet has, at some point, talked about the Jason Wu for Target collection within the past several months. Though the talks were long and the sneak peaks left mouths salivating at the thought of Wu’s clean lines and chic prints at a mere fraction of their typical high fashion prices, the 53-piece collection sold out in a mere 24 hours, making it all seem like nothing more than a whirlwind fashion dream.

Many expected things to sell out quickly, just like they did for the Missoni for Target and Versace for H&M collaborations. Sunday morning, though, took some shoppers by surprise. Target doors across the United States opened and after oohing, ahhing, grabbing — and perhaps some clawing — took place, only a few straggler pieces were left for the late arrivers to pick through. Even the exclusive pieces online are nearly all sold out, with only one or two items left for the taking, including the Long Sleeve Sheer Blouse in White with Black Ribbon ($34.99) and Collared Cap-Sleeve Pleated Blouse in Gold ($26.99).

Though most items seemed to disappear in a Wizard-of-Oz-style POOF!, I was lucky enough to check out the clothing and accessories in person. I even tried a few garments on.

My verdict? While most of the accessories are chic, modern and appropriate for a variety of ages, the actual garments were disappointingly sub-par.

Perhaps it was the post-shopping frenzy, but a number of garments had untrimmed thread strings hanging down and nearly every piece — aside from the coats, shorts and some skirts — were made from fabric that was simply too sheer. A lot of the Jason Wu for Target pieces look like they’d be ideal as stand-alone garments, but because of the sheerness, layering is almost necessary.

I also found that a number of pieces were ill-fitting, and after browsing through other post-sale online gossip, realized I was not alone in thinking so. Most of the dresses are quite boxy, so a narrow belt is necessary to create a more flattering silhouette. In addition, many of the T-shirts are constructed from a clingy fabric that requires perfectly fitting bras/undergarments. Unless, of course, highlighting unsightly bulges is your mission. I suppose less-than-quality products are what you should expect when paying $46 for a designer dress. Still, it’s disheartening after all the hoopla.

Quality aside, the actual design of the garments are clean, sweet and ultra feminine. That said, the majority of these pieces seem to be best suited for the 30-and-under crowd. Many of the garments have a “granny-esque” look to them, which 20-somethings may be able to pull off, but can date those who are older.

In short: Thank you, Target, for bringing designer duds to budget-conscious Americans. And Thank you, Jason Wu, for your chic designs. To improve your go next time around, let’s work with higher quality fabrics and perhaps bump up the collection from 53 pieces to at least 100. I’d happily pay an extra $20 for better fitting garments in materials that aren’t prone to ripping (and that you can’t see through).

P.S. Missed the sale but still want the look? Check out eBay, where hundreds of garments are now being sold. You’ll find some at decent prices, but a large majority now have price points at least triple the MSRP.

By Wendy Rose Gould